American teens immersed themselves in the art of Chinese calligraphy at Dongpo Academy. (Source: Hainan Daily)

On July 21, at the Dongpo Academy in Danzhou City, Hainan Province, a group of teenagers from Hawaii, USA, practiced Chinese calligraphy on rice paper, carefully writing the two characters 中-国 ("China"). These young faces who crossed the Pacific Ocean to be here serve as a vivid microcosm of how this tropical coastal city is increasingly integrating into the wave of globalization.

Today, Danzhou-Yangpu is far more than a geographic designation. With its tangible openness, it has evolved into a hub attracting foreign talents and industries.

Nancy, a medical intern from Nigeria, learns to operate medical equipment alongside doctors in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Hainan Western Central Hospital. (Source: Hainan Daily)

In the plastic surgery clinic of Hainan Western Central Hospital, Nancy, a student doctor from Nigeria, skillfully changed a patient's dressing while observing her mentor operating state-of-the-art laser medical equipment. "Here, I can not only access cutting-edge high-tech medical devices, but also experience the dynamic Chinese healthcare system firsthand," she exclaimed.

A short distance away, in the government service hall of Yangpu Economic Development Zone, Chinese-English bilingual signs can be seen everywhere. At the newly launched International Services Zone, everything is running smoothly as foreign merchants consult staff about visas and residence permit application procedures.

Drawing these foreign nationals to settle down here are the policy dividends and thoughtful services that have come into their own following the launch of island-wide special customs operations of Hainan Free Trade Port late last year.

Jonathan Köstlin, a German teacher, has lived in Yangpu for a year. He has grown accustomed to strolling along the coastal cultural square after class, loves to chow on local golden pomfret, and even feels he is becoming more and more Hainanese. "I eat way more leafy greens now," he said with a laugh.

Mehdi, an assistant professor from Australia, regards Yangpu as a testing ground for his career aspirations. He leads his students into the port area to conduct practical research on smart logistics and green supply chains, leveraging an international perspective to directly boost the operational efficiency of Hainan Free Trade Port.

Students learn from an international faculty member at Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences. (Source: Hainan Daily)

The influx of people is fundamentally fueled by robust port logistics and foreign trade industries. As the forefront of opening-up and a vital shipping hub for Hainan Free Trade Port, Yangpu Port on the coast of the South China Sea is brimming with unprecedented vitality. As the dividends of special customs operations continue to emerge, the port has fully adopted an around-the-clock, high-efficiency operation model.

The latest official statistics show that in the first half of 2026, the port handled 1.9428 million TEUs of containers, a year-on-year increase of 49.91%. The total number of domestic and foreign trade shipping routes rose to 68, including 38 foreign trade routes covering ASEAN and South Asian countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. As of July 2026, 94 vessels with a total carrying capacity exceeding 8.5 million deadweight tons are registered at "Port of Yangpu" (CN YPG), spurring the convergence of an increasing number of multinational shipping giants and high-end shipping resources.

Danzhou-Yangpu's story is one told through universally understood scenes of daily life and credible data, showcasing the boundless vitality and robust momentum of China's opening-up in the new era.